Comedy Preview: What's So Funny @ British Library

The British Library hosts a comedy conference and two nights of stand up next week. It's often said that explaining a joke kills it stone dead, but these panels look like they'll avoid that particular pitfall, especially with the calibre of the guests.

Get to the BL by 10am on 18th January to enjoy discussions on the nature of camp, with Chris Green (creator of rapping pensioner Ida Barr) and Simon Fanshawe; how far you can push comedy, with Richard Herring, Bill Dare and Shazia Mirza; class and comedy with Susan Murray and Sharon Lockyer; and who better to debate the mechanics of comedy than the great Barry Cryer? (Take a look at the website for the full run-down of guest speakers.)

If you can't be doing with all the cerebral stuff and just want some laughs, Richard Herring, Arthur Smith, Susan Murray, Ida Barr and Doc Brown are performing on Monday night, while on Tuesday there's sets from Robin Ince, Shazia Mirza, Alistair Barrie, Tiffany Stevenson and special guests.

The What's so funny conference runs 10am-5pm on Tuesday 18th January at the British Library Conference Centre, £10 / £7.50. The comedy nights start at 6.30pm on 17th and 18th January, £7.50 / £5. For more information see the British Library website.